Summers in the Sam Houston National Forest are hot and humid and winters generally are short and mild.

The three counties that contain the Sam Houston National Forest, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Walker, have yielded evidence of human occupation dating back 12,000 years.

More recently, the basins of the San Jacinto and Trinity Rivers were home to Atakapan-speaking groups known as the Bidai, Patiri, Deadose, and Akokisa.

Evidence of occupations from as early as 7,000 years ago to the 20th century has been documented by a number of archaeological sites within the national forest.

Under this concept, the uses of the forest, such as recreation, fish and wildlife, timber, grazing, soil and water, and minerals, are planned to maintain a balance among the benefits, yet provide for public needs.

[3] In 1960, the Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act put into law what had been practiced on the National Forests in Texas for almost 30 years.

The trail, marked with two-inch by four-inch aluminum markers to guide hikers, has recreation areas available at three different points.

Usually the trail is not crowded, and hikers may observe a multiple-use managed forest with many ages and kinds of trees, plants and wildlife.

Trail visitors may also view rivers, creeks, lakes and streams that meander through and around the Sam Houston National Forest.

Loblolly and shortleaf pines dominate ridgetops that are separated by a wide variety of hardwoods along the creek channels.

Big Creek Scenic Area is approximately six miles west of Shepherd, and a parking lot is conveniently located off FS 217.

There are three developed campgrounds in the Sam Houston National Forest (Cagle, Double Lake and Stubblefield Recreation areas).

It has a boat ramp with large parking lot, 48 camping spurs with electric, fresh-water and sewer connections, hot showers with restrooms, lakeshore hiking and bicycle trails, wildlife viewing, Lake Conroe boating and water sports, fishing, a picnic area overlooking Lake Conroe, shoreline wading and swimming, 85 miles (137 km) of off-road vehicle (ORV), equestrian and mountain bike trails close as well as 129 miles (208 km) of hiking on the Lone Star Hiking Trail.

Canoes and paddleboats can be rented at the concession stand at Double Lake which also has groceries, ice, and other items for sale.

Located on the north shore of Lake Conroe, Stubblefield has 28 camping units and also provides access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.

Kelly Pond offers more primitive camping experience and is surrounded by Sam Houston National Forest and all its splendor.

This special designation provides benefits to those who use the Sam Houston National Forest, including hunters, and to the wildlife that live or forage there.

Multi-use trails – Driving off-road vehicles (dirt bikes and small 4-wheelers) and horseback riding are two of the many popular recreational uses of the Sam Houston National Forest.

ORV enthusiasts are encouraged to seek further information and contact the local district ranger's office at telephone number 888/361-6908 (toll free) concerning operating conditions and areas open to vehicular traffic.

Lake Conroe and the surrounding National Forest lands provide wintering habitat for the bald eagle.

During the winter months, the eagle is not an uncommon sight soaring over the lake, perched on a flooded snag or in a tall pine along the shoreline.

These cavities are later used by a variety of forest wildlife including other woodpeckers, bluebirds, screech owls, wood ducks, squirrels, and honey bees.

The resulting pitch flow gives the cavity tree a distinctive waxy appearance below the nest opening and serves to protect the bird from predatory snakes.

Early U.S. Forest Service management efforts were directed toward protection from fire, planting cut over areas, and improving the tree density in existing young timber stands.

When the timber is removed, the money from sales is sent to the U.S. Treasury, and a portion of these funds is returned to the counties for schools and roads.

Prescribed fire can reduce heavy accumulations of forest fuels to minimize damages in the event of wildfires.

After an area is prescribed burned, threatened and endangered habitat is improved significantly and new understory sprouts supply food for wildlife.

Weather, fuel conditions, seasonal timing and fire application techniques are all considered by trained professionals while accomplishing these projects.

Lake Livingston on the Trinity River was dammed in 1968 and is located on the Northeastern side of the Sam Houston National Forest near Coldspring, Texas.